Thursday, June 25, 2026
ADVT 
National

O'Toole presses pipelines with U.S. envoy

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 11 Feb, 2021 06:14 PM
  • O'Toole presses pipelines with U.S. envoy

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole urged the acting American ambassador to Canada to tell Washington to preserve the Line 5 pipeline to the United States.

O'Toole told Katherine Brucker that he was disappointed by President Joe Biden's decision to cancel Keystone XL pipeline on his first day in office last month.

O'Toole also said if the governor of Michigan follows through on plans to shut down Line 5 by May it would have a negative economic impact on both countries.

About 87 million litres of oil and natural gas liquids moves daily through Line 5 from Wisconsin to Sarnia, Ont., passing through parts of Michigan.

The U.S. embassy in Ottawa declined to comment on the Wednesday conversation between Brucker and O'Toole.

But the Conservative leader's office released its own readout of the meeting.

"Mr. O'Toole raised his disappointment about the decision of the United States to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline and made the case for why this project should continue, including the economic benefits for both countries," it said.

"He also raised the potential Line 5 pipeline cancellation and the tremendous economic blow this would cause both countries."

O'Toole also asked the U.S. to help secure more vaccines for Canadians.

"Mr. O'Toole spoke about the need for vaccines in order to secure jobs and turn the corner in the pandemic," the readout said.

A U.S. embassy spokeswoman said Brucker meets with "a wide range of Canadians from all sectors, including political leaders, to learn about their priorities and promote bilateral understanding" but it does not comment publicly on the details of those conversations.

But recent moves by Biden make it unlikely that Canada will receive any extra vaccine doses made in the United States

Biden invoked the Defence Production Act, after former president Donald Trump did the same last year to push for faster production of personal protective equipment and vaccines. Biden did not specifically mention exports, but he has promised to vaccinate 100 million Americans in his first 100 days in office.

O'Toole also registered his opposition to American tariffs on softwood lumber and the Buy American policies that the Biden administration is also following after Trump.

"They also spoke about the threat the Chinese Communist Party poses to both the United States and Canada. Mr. O'Toole raised the issue of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor who are currently being held hostage, and thanked the United States for their willingness to assist in securing their release," said the readout.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

We Wish Everyone Celebrating Holi And Hola Mohalla A Happy And Colourful Festival

As colourful signs of spring blossom all over our province, this week many British Columbians will be celebrating Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colour. The Sikh community also celebrates this time of year with Hola Mohalla.

We Wish Everyone Celebrating Holi And Hola Mohalla A Happy And Colourful Festival

Canada, U.S. In Touch 'Almost Daily' In Coronavirus Battle: Minister

Canada's foreign affairs minister says the federal government and the United States are working together and communicating on an "almost daily" basis in their shared efforts to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus north of the border.

Canada, U.S. In Touch 'Almost Daily' In Coronavirus Battle: Minister

Kalen Schlatter Testifies He Did Not Sexually Assault Or Kill Tess Richey

TORONTO - A Toronto man accused of sexually assaulting and strangling a young woman he had just met testified Monday that she initiated their early-morning sexual encounter and was alive when he left her.    

Kalen Schlatter Testifies He Did Not Sexually Assault Or Kill Tess Richey

Feds Told To Ease EI, Use Tax Credits In Spending To Ease COVID-19 Economic Shock

Feds Told To Ease EI, Use Tax Credits In Spending To Ease COVID-19 Economic Shock
The Trudeau Liberals are being urged to ease access to federal sick leave benefits, along with tax credits and other breaks, to help workers and businesses deal with the economic impacts of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Feds Told To Ease EI, Use Tax Credits In Spending To Ease COVID-19 Economic Shock

Aircraft Breakdowns, Refuelling Problems Hit Military Search-And-Rescue Missions

OTTAWA - A new Department of National Defence report says military search-and-rescue personnel were delayed and in some cases unable to provide emergency assistance on about one in 20 of the hundreds of calls they received last year.

Aircraft Breakdowns, Refuelling Problems Hit Military Search-And-Rescue Missions

Appeal Court Upholds Class Action Rulings Against Isolation In Prisons

Even without a full-blown trial, a judge was right to decide that placing inmates in solitary confinement amounts to cruel and unusual punishment in violation of their rights, Ontario's top court ruled on Monday.    

Appeal Court Upholds Class Action Rulings Against Isolation In Prisons